GARY ANDERSON is determined to retain his Premier League title and prove he is no one-year wonder.

The Scot begins the defence of the crown he won in sensational fashion 12 months ago when he tackles England’s Kevin Painter at the Manchester Arena.

After reaching the PDC World Championship final last season Anderson made his Premier League debut and beat the top-class field to lift the trophy.

The win helped the 41-year-old to his best year in the sport but now the Borders ace wants more.

Despite victories on the Pro Tour and making the Final of the Grand Slam, Anderson hasn’t won since his League triumph.

He took criticism following his exit from this year’s World Championship after losing his concentration during a last-eight loss to Simon Whitlock. But he is adamant the defence of his title can inspire him to silence the doubters who reckon he’s had his moments of glory.

Anderson said: “I had a good year in 2011 which was topped by winning the Premier League. But the truth of the matter is it could have been even better. I let myself down a few times in the second half of the term.

“I’ve got to be honest and say I have taken a bit of stick from my manager Tommy Gilmour because he knows I can do a lot better. I proved to everyone during the Premier League last year that I have the game to be among the elite.

“My scoring is heavy and my finishing can be great but I’ve not been doing it often enough in recent times and I’ve got to sort that out.

“People have had their say about me but I know what I am capable of and I am the only one who can show them.

“Last year was good but 2012 needs to be even better because I know I can add more titles to my CV if I just get it right when it counts. The way the game is right now, there are so many top-class players that a slip below 100 per cent will see you wiped out very quickly, so I’ve got to stay at my best for longer.”

Anderson faces a tricky opener with Painter making a Premier League debut and he added: “Kevin can be brilliant on his game so this one is very dangerous.”

The other top match of the night one comes as world champ Adrian Lewis takes on the multiple champion Phil Taylor. The English pair teamed up for glory in last weekend’s World Cup of Darts in Hamburg but friendships are ditched as Taylor looks to reclaim some of the limelight from fellow Stoke star Lewis.

Lewis said: “The World Cup was great for both of us in terms of match practice but I’ve put in the hard work ahead of Manchester and I know Phil has too.

“So many players are coming through at the moment andyou know if you’re not at the practice board they most certainly are. So you’ve got to put the work in and me and Phil are not shy in doing so.”

Lewis defeated Taylor in the opening night last season and in the semi-finals before losing the Final to Anderson.

Another debutant, Andy Hamilton, who lost to Lewis in the World Final last month, kicks off the night against the mercurial James Wade before crowd favourite Raymond van Barneveld goes in against outstanding Aussie Whitlock.